What happens though when the people in our life bring us down or worse, their behavior rubs off on us and influences our relationship with God? We are called to show grace and love others. There comes a point though when we have to do those things from a distance.

If the people we choose to have in our life are constantly bringing us down, are the reason we are disappointed or depressed, then it’s time to let them go. If our relationship with God is threatened or hindered in any way by our friends, then we need to ask ourselves if the friendship is worth keeping.

We are influenced by others whether we want to admit it or not. What they do, what they say, and sometimes by what isn’t said, but what is done. We need friends and people in our life who are going to build us up not tear us down. People who influence our life in a positive way and treat us with the respect and love we deserve.

We don’t like being alone and having friends make us feel like our life is complete. People can’t complete us. If we are keeping people in our life who influence it in a negative way because we don’t want to be alone, then we are keeping them there for the wrong reason.

If it’s self-centered not Christ-centered, then it’s wrong.

We need to be mindful of who is in our inner circles. Yes, we should accept and love others, but if our friends’ behavior causes us to draw away from God and neglect our relationship with Him, then it’s not the right friendship. People tend to become like the people they spend a lot of their time with. Even their negative characteristics can sometimes rub off. The Bible urges us to be cautious in our choice of companions.

Choose friends with characteristics you would like to develop in your own life.

This post is very true and straight to the point. Sometimes we do get lost in our friends behaviors that are in our inner circles. This post when I read it made me think of Ephesians 5:6-7 immediately.

Let no one one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
Eph 5:6-7 NIV

It does become a tough scripture to follow. But this gives a clear example on how God will discipline those not in his word and I know God puts people in our lives that have a Christ like mind.

Julie

Jeremy,

I appreciate the comment. Yes, sometimes we do get lost in our behaviors that we begin to lose our identity in Christ. It’s not really hard per say, everything happens for a reason and in God’s timing. God places and removes people in our life for a reason. For a season or a lifetime. We just need to be mindful of the people who He does place in our life that we are not being influenced them in a negative way – it happens. You and I both know that ;).

Also, not everyone God puts in our life have a “Christ like mind.” Every one that is in our life deserves love, respect, acceptance, and grace. There comes a point though when the friendship is one sided or they are doing things that go against the person you are trying to be in Christ, then yes, reevaluation of the friendship is necessary.

Again, thank you for your comment and God bless you.

Verse of the Day

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. — Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV)